〈 Chapter 314 〉 Aftermath of Chapter 306.
*
After returning from the Beastman Kingdom.
Currently, Elcia and I were at our house.
Coincidentally, my parents were away on a trip, leaving us home alone for the first time in a while.
“I’ll let it slide this time!”
“……Alright.”
This was a small date we were having to make up for breaking a promise with Elcia previously.
Hyeji and Caressy were absent due to the establishment of the Beastman Kingdom.
Ayeon had gone to see her mother for business expansion.
At this moment, it was just dinner for the two of us.
“…El…cia?”
“Husband, what’s wrong?”
At that moment, I struggled to speak to Elcia.
Elcia just tilted her head and casually replied.
As if questioning whether something was the matter.
“Should I stop moving my hands? It’s dinner time, you know.”
“Why? I’m in the middle of cooking! Of course, I have to use my hands!”
Elcia insisted she needed to cook since it was mealtime.
Though one could argue her statement was reasonable,
I could firmly declare that it definitely wasn’t.
Because.
“What the hell is this for food, you crazy woman—!!!!”
“My meal is finally ready! Hah!”
This lunatic was shaking my Juji.
I was tied to a chair while Elcia was having her way with it.
At the breaking point, Elcia stuffed Juji into her mouth.
She was gobbling up the entire result.
Vroom!!!
Gulp!!!
Even during dinner, I couldn’t touch the food in front of me.
“Tastes stable as always!!!!”
“F*ck….”
This current situation was likely Elcia’s little revenge.
Still, Elcia wasn’t entirely selfish.
After swallowing everything, she passed me a piece of food.
She had cut it into a size convenient for me to eat, which was also Elcia’s small consideration.
“Husband! Say ‘Ah’!”
“……Ah.”
Since my limbs were tied, I obediently received the food Elcia offered.
“Tasty?”
“Not bad. Thanks.”
Eating warm food began rejuvenating my body again.
Surprisingly, Elcia wasn’t lifting a finger for the food.
For someone who devours anything that fits in her mouth, this was quite remarkable.
Though I expressed my concern over her strange behavior,
“Elcia, aren’t you eating?”
“You need to eat a lot, my husband!”
Instead, Elcia dismissed it with a wave of her hand.
[……Looks like it’s time for Elcia to die.］
‘Right? I didn’t sign up for funeral insurance.’
Although her actions were questionable for her health.
Either way, every little thing Elcia did felt so lovable and appreciated.
It was a sweet act solely for me.
“I took a bite, so I’ll take another!!!”
“No, stop! You f*cking lunatic!!!”
It seemed she was just thinking more about herself.
[Thank goodness. She’s still normal.］
‘Not that I’m relieved, f*ck.’
When Elcia started moving her mouth and hands again,
Suddenly, a news broadcast began on the TV we had on.
《Breaking News!!! Do you know about the Beastman Kingdom, Animalia, which has been long isolated!!!》
“Oh. Must be live.”
It was news about the Beastman Kingdom.
It was rapid enough to be called breaking news.
However, Elcia’s expression didn’t look too pleased.
“Elcia, what’s wrong?”
Sniff “I’m still lacking in my studies.”
“What kind of study? Are you trying to be a newscaster?”
I questioned, and Elcia gritted her teeth, grumbling.
“To say ‘it’s transparent’ on public broadcasting… I still have a long way to go.”
“You crazy woman, your words are messing with our story too.”
Still, we focused on the news being broadcast.
Soon, we started seeing a crowd on the screen.
The Beastmen of the Motherless Church.
People from the broadcasting station gathered to film them.
And familiar faces showed up.
“Oh! It’s Hyeji and her father!”
“Caressy and the Pope are there too.”
《We are starting initial exchanges with the Beastman Kingdom here in South Korea!!!》
Strangely, this news felt like they were about to announce a gaming tournament, but I ignored it.
The moment I saw the news, memories of the departure began flooding back.
Especially the Pope’s words.
To look after Caressy moving forward.
Even though we had only exchanged quick greetings during our hasty return.
The Pope claimed that was enough.
[Would it have been okay to stay a bit longer?］
‘Given future considerations, time is quite tight, you know.’
Certainly, as Peace put it, we could have stayed longer until the Academy opened.
After all, the opening day wasn’t far off; we could have just lingered a little longer before leaving.
However, for the sake of the final plan, we had to return quickly.
Just thinking of the monsters being messed with by the chief pains my heart.
Moreover, if I needed to take down all the professors too, my upcoming steps were undoubtedly crucial.
Still, a brief moment of ease like this should be alright, so I decided to focus on the news.
《This establishment of the Beastman Kingdom was first suggested by General Kim Baekhong! No one dared to attempt it due to the dangers!》
《I believe that even a weak human like me must risk danger for the development of South Korea.》
《As expected, a brave and ambitious statement from South Korea’s three-star general!》
Although the hastily put-together content felt rushed and should have been announced with caution.
Hyeji’s father replied quite calmly to the reporter.
Even Elcia, known for her audacity, was impressed.
“Looks like the high-ranking officials are another breed. No signs of panic whatsoever.”
“True.”
Soon after, the reporter turned to the smiling Pope.
《By the way, the state of the Beastman Kingdom is quite dire, which raises concerns about foreign invasions.》
《Ah, is that what we’re discussing?》
It was a question that might come off as rude but was very sharp and necessary.
Other countries might covet the technology possessed by the Beastman Kingdom and start taking action.
Not through official exchanges like South Korea but through somewhat coercive means.
《You don’t need to worry about that, thanks to General Kim Baekhong and our Lord’s grace.》
《If it isn’t rude, could you provide a bit more detail?》
As soon as the reporter’s words ended, Hyeji stepped forward without a word.
But the reporter’s face was only filled with confusion.
As if he didn’t understand why Hyeji had suddenly stepped up.
《Why is this girl suddenly…?》
《Hold on to the camera tight from now on.》
[Looks like they don’t know Hyeji well.］
‘Must be since they’re regular folks.’
The Pope, maintaining a kind smile, responded to the reporter, while Hyeji’s father and the Pope both addressed Hyeji.
《Hyeji, on the day of your descent, the whole world whispered your name.》
《Hyeji, could you perhaps show a hint of our Lord’s grace?》
At those words, Hyeji made a gesture for everyone to step back.
As they all stepped back in confusion, Hyeji suddenly began praying towards the empty plains.
《In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.》
At that moment, as Hyeji stomped her foot hard,
A very fat missile materialized beside her.
Then suddenly.
《L-Ladies and gentlemen! This is an actual situation!!!》
《W-What the hell is this!!!》
《Get the camera!!! This is worth more than our combined salaries!!!》
《You f*ck! Who told you to bring an iMax camera for this long!》
《Don’t move!!! Anyone moving gets a salary cut!!!!》
The missile began to take off into the distance.
The sudden situation had the reporter and broadcasting staff flustered, but the others continued to pray solemnly.
As the missile fell to the ground, everyone chanted a holy word in unison.
《《《《Fat Man》》》》
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!
Although it fell quite some distance away, and Hyeji must have moderated its power,
It was still an overwhelmingly massive explosion.
Instantly, the camera flipped over, and both the visuals and sound cut out completely.
[……What on earth is Hyeji planning to reach.］
‘……It would sell well even if turned into a religion.’
After a bit of time passed, the screen returned to normal.
The reporter and broadcasting staff were wearing expressions full of fear, but the Pope merely kept his kind smile.
Then the reporter slowly turned his gaze to the Pope.
《…….Are we…still alive?》
《Of course. This is all thanks to our Lord’s grace. Isn’t that something to be grateful for?》
《Yes….》
At that, the Pope turned toward the broadcasting staff and spoke up.
《In that case, how about everyone makes a token offering as a show of gratitude?》
《…….Can I use a card?》
To that, Caressy approached the reporter with a card reader.
《Cards have an additional 10% tax.》
《……I’ll do a bank transfer.》
《Please do it in dollars. The exchange rate has been crazy lately.》
While the broadcasting staff was busy donating,
Hyeji walked over to the camera and ominously whispered into the lens.
《I am. Hyeji.》
Then suddenly extending her finger towards the camera lens,
She began to say something heavier and more ominous than before.
As if warning everyone watching the news.
《Next is. You. You dog—》
Beep!!!!!
At that moment, the screen suddenly switched to a colorful test pattern.
A mechanical voice came from the broadcast saying,
《We are temporarily switching the display for visual adjustments. Thank you for your understanding.》
It felt a bit rushed, but in a way, it was a definitive ending.
Hyeji’s words following wouldn’t be something that could be aired anyway.
“……Hyeji was really keeping an eye on me.”
“Let’s do well, us.”
“……Yeah.”
The news was short but packed with intense content.
It would surely leave a mark in everyone’s minds.
To never again touch the Beastman Kingdom.
[Wasn’t that a bit too extreme a performance?］
‘To be honest, that level is just right.’
It may sound strange for me to say this, but there are plenty of crazies in the world.
This world is filled with all kinds of lunatics.
Most of them live with a passive-aggressive approach.
That’s why, for the crazies, stronger measures are needed.
[……Hearing that makes your point valid.］
‘They should realize they could really die.’
An additional positive aspect is that Hyeji’s recognition would drastically increase.
She was already well known, primarily among hunters.
Despite a previous article, the reporter didn’t recognize her this time, indicating she wasn’t yet popular among the general public.
Of course, thanks to the news just aired, everyone would now know about Hyeji without a doubt.
Whether it’s good or bad.
What mattered was the fact she became well-known.
Especially since being popular is crucial for a prominent hunter.
This situation would serve Hyeji well.
Meanwhile, Elcia, with a slightly serious face, began to speak to me.
“Hyeji and everyone else are all working hard at their jobs.”
“We shouldn’t fall behind either, right?”
“You’re right, husband. I should start working hard at what I need to do too.”
With Elcia stimulated by Hyeji, that was a very positive sign.
Until now, she had been living without any real direction,
But this incident would prompt her to start planning a more constructive future.
Soon after, Elcia flashed a bright smile and began talking about future matters.
“And this is what I need to do! Hah!!!!”
“No, you crazy woman!!! We were on a flow for talking about future-oriented matters!!!”
Somehow, it was quite a misaligned direction.
Thus, our date continued until the next day, with neither of us being able to sleep.
“I’m so full… I can’t eat any more…”
“……Is this…the end?”
Despite looking quite exhausted, Elcia’s face strangely glimmered.
“But I can eat more down there!!!”
“……Help… me.”
In stark contrast, I had become remarkably haggard.
I had heard that a woman’s sexual desire can be dangerous if built up too much.
If left unresolved later, it could lead to major issues, which was a brief warning I came across.
And this time, I truly felt the weight of that warning upon me.
‘……I’m not moving.’
[Idiot.]
Literally to the point where my bones were tingling.
*
